Showing 22 results for Students
Gholamreza Sharifi-Rad, Mohammad Mahdi Hazavei, Akbar Hasan- Zadeh, Abdolbaset Danesh-Amouz,
Volume 10, Issue 1 (3-2007)
Abstract
Introduction: World health organization has proclaimed the prevalence of smoking among 15 years old European region students, more than 24 percent. The cigarette smoking indicator in our country among over 15 years old individuals is 11.9 percent and in the province under survey is 15.6 percent. This research has been performed in order to study the effect of health education program based on health belief model (H.B.M) on preventive actions of smoking in middle school students. Materials and Methods: This is a quasi-experimental study, done on 248 students of grade one in middle schools of Boukan city (119 boys and 129 girls) that were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. Data collection tool was a questionnaire including 77 questions based on health belief model (perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits and perceived barriers to smoking, and cues to action) and preventive actions of smoking. After data collection in the first stage, action was taken with regard to educational intervention and then in the second stage (after the intervention), data was collected again. Data was analyzed using T test. Results: Results showed that the mean score of all parts of health belief model in experimental group(except for perceived barriers) after educational intervention compared to before intervention was increased significantly and also the mean score of all parts of HBM after intervention was significantly increased in experimental group compared to control group. Conclusion: The results of this survey show that by increasing the score of health belief model parts including, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity and perceived benefits, adopting preventive actions of smoking also increases. Therefore, the results of this survey confirm the efficiency of health belief model in adopting preventive actions of smoking.
Sharareh Khosravi, Farzaneh Jahani, Nafiseh Gazerani, Babak Eshrati, Morteza Moghimi,
Volume 10, Issue 2 (6-2007)
Abstract
Introduction: Nowadays drug abuse is an important problem in the world. Existing data show that using drugs especially pseudo-amphetamine compounds have increased and it seems necessary to determine the knowledge of high risk groups especially youths in this field. The aim of this study is to survey knowledge and attitude of students in Arak University of medical sciences based on Health Belief Model. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional analythical study which was carried out on 100 students of medical, nursing- midway and pre-medical schools in 2006.This survey was done by completing a questionnaire including 53 questions base on health belief model. Data was analyzed using Chi square and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: The mean age of samples was 22/3(±3/18) years which 67 persons were female. The highest obtained score was related to perceived sensivity and had a meaningful relationship with action (p<0.05). Based on student's opinion of cues to action, TV was the most important resoure in education about Ecstasy. Conclusion:Beased on findings and regarding the meaningful relationship of percieved susceptibility (the danger of using Ecstasy) with action, it is better to provide educational program to prepare youngsters minds about perceived sensivity.
Abalfazl Mohammadbeygi, Narges Mohammad Salehi, Farhad Ghamari, Bahman Salehi,
Volume 12, Issue 3 (10-2009)
Abstract
Abstract Background: The University is a stressful place can cause depression symptoms and it's a critical context for studying of students’ psychological health. Because of moving away from family, living with other students, academic atmosphere pressures and uncertain future, students are often in risk of depression. This study was done to determine prevalence and related factors of depression in students of Arak, Iran. Materials and Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was carried out on 304 undergraduate medical and basic students in Arak universities, from May to July 2008. General Health Questionnaire -28 question (GH-28) has been used for data gathering and analyzed by T-test, chi2 and logistic regression tests. Results: Mean of students' general health was 26.18±11.02 and 52.3% of students were scored above the threshold of GHQ- 28, that indicating depression. Female sex, major uninteresting, uncertain future and positive family history were the most important risk factors of depression but significant relationship between age, education Course and year were not seen. Conclusion: The prevalence of depression was higher than society and in girls is more than boys students. But there wasn’t any difference between medical and non medical students. So attention to financial and occupational future of graduated and under graduated students is essential.
Korosh Rezaei, Hamidreza Kohestani, Fatemeh Ganjeh, Zoreh Anbari,
Volume 12, Issue 4 (1-2010)
Abstract
Abstract Background: One of the most important effective factors on students’ learning is their learning style. This study was done to determine learning styles of students in Arak University of Medical Sciences in 2008. Materials and Methods: In a descriptive cross sectional study, 241 first semester students in Arak University of Medical Sciences were selected by census sampling method. The data gathering tool was a questionnaire containing demographic questions and Kolb's learning style questionnaire. Results: The most students learning style was assimilating (58.1%), Converging (25.31%), diverging (10.37%) and accommodating styles (6.22%) were followed. In all fields the most prevalent learning style was assimilating, too. The majority of operating room (56.2%), battle health with disease (57.9%), environment health (53.6%), nursing (43.9%), medical (72.4%), laboratory science (73.1%), midwifery (64.3%) and anesthesia students (65%) were this style. Conclusion: Considering the assimilator and converging learning styles among students, it is recommended to use lecture and self learning, visual methods, diagrams, teacher’s handouts, and face to face learning methods. Also, communication skills of medical science students must be supported, because, assimilating and converging have less interest to communicate with others.
Abalfazl Mohamadbeigi, Ali Ghazavi, Narges Mohammad Salehi, Farhad Ghamari, Atefeh Saeidi,
Volume 12, Issue 4 (1-2010)
Abstract
Abstract Background: Now a day, internet addiction is a common problem that defines as abuse in computer and online information. In addicted students to internet may develop many types of problem in education. This research was designed to determine the effect of internet addiction on educational status of Arak university of medical sciences students, spring 2009 Materials and Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 426 Arak medical university students passing at least one term of his/her course in spring 2009. A Yang standard internet addiction questionnaire applied for data gathering and after data entry was analyzed in 0.05 significant levels. Results: Mean and standard deviation of age, average of scores and Yang internet addiction score were as 20.95±1.41, 16.13±1.38 and 32.74±14.52, respectively. Internet addiction associated with number of failed and passed total, average decline in recent terms, educational term and obtaining average score under 12 (p<0.05). But didn’t associate with course, educational level and faculty of education (p>0.05). Conclusion: Since internet addiction can affected the educational status inversely, and reduces average score and educational subsidence, endeavor for beneficial opportunities prevention is essential.
Majid Najafi Kalyani, Shahnaz Karimi, Nahidi Jamshidi,
Volume 12, Issue 4 (1-2010)
Abstract
Abstract Background: The important reality is that all of human developments and successes are due to learning. Knowing students learning styles will help to produce an educational plan in order to optimal and effective learning. The aim of this study was the comparison of learning styles and preferred teaching methods of different students of medical sciences. Materials and Methods: This study is a cross-sectional research. That was done on all students at Fasa Medical Sciences University in 2009. For data gathering, questionnaires of demographic variables and Kolb Learning Style Inventory (KLSI) was used and analyzed. Results: Majority of students learning style was convergent learning (38.3%) and then assimilator learning style (29.9%). More frequent preferred teaching method was group discussion. There was a significant difference between learning styles and course of students (P=0.011). Conclusion: Since, the majority of students had convergent and assimilator learning styles is recommended, considering the diversity of learning styles, educational methods related ro learning styles were using.
Heidar Farahani, Mahdi Mehdi Rahjoonia,
Volume 12, Issue 4 (1-2010)
Abstract
Abstract Background: What makes a physician to a proficient one is accompanying science and moral together, especially observing religious features of the patient. Therefore, present study was conducted to evaluate the knowledge of Arak University of Medical Sciences students in medical religious in pre and post training, 2005-06. Materials and Methods: In a descriptive cross-sectional study, questionnaire was prepared including 50 questions on medical religious commandments. After filling questionnaires by 227 students, were confidentially collected in a box. In next stage, the book on medical commandments according to four religious authorities was freely presented to the participants to be read within two weeks then 50 questions about medical commandments were prepared again. Results: In the present study, 81.9% were female and 18.1% were male. The basic sciences students were lower acquaintance before reading the book and midwifery students had better acquaintance (43%). The changing percentage of knowledge in all groups had significant difference with medical commandments in second period as compared to the first period, (p‹0.001). Conclusion: The knowledge of students in different courses in medical religious commandments was not significant. But, after training, there have been considerable changes in their medical commandments knowledge. Therefore, it is recommended to train medical commandments in parallel with training scientific and practical courses.
Saed Changizy Ashtyani, Mohsen Shamsi, Abolfazl Mohammadbeygi,
Volume 12, Issue 4 (1-2010)
Abstract
Abstract Background: Educational decline is one of the most important problems in educational institutes. There for, present study was aimed to survey frequency of educational decline and some effective factors of student’s opinion in Arak University of Medical sciences, 2009. Materials and Methods: In a analytical cross sectional study, 600 students passing at least one term of their course in Arak university of medical science in 2009, were determined by questionnaire and interview. After data gathering, students divided two groups, successful and non successful base n educational average and failed terms and then data were analyzed and determined frequency and some effective factors on it. Results: Decline education frequency is 19% and there were significant difference between sex, marital status, average score diploma, educational level of father, hesitancy, gap between diploma and university admission and course satisfaction between two groups of successful and unsuccessful students (P<0/05). However, no significant correlation observed in age, course, family economic status and mother’s job (p>0/05). Also, most of effective problem solutions in student’s viewpoint are included admission in university base on diploma average score and use of expert consular. Conclusion: Educational managers should be considering effective variables on performance and educational decline in students, in order to identifying high risk students and providing better facilities for them by appropriate consulting.
Parsa Yousefi, Bahman Salehi, Taherreh Sanginan,
Volume 13, Issue 2 (6-2010)
Abstract
Background: Noticing the sensitivity and restlessness of medical centers, aggression in the workplace as an agitating factor is one of the dangers of medical profession that is threatening to the health and hygiene of the society. The aim of this study was to determine the types and contributing factors of aggression toward physicians and students of medicine in hospitals of Arak in 2009. Materials and Methods: This descriptive-cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 of accessible physicians and students of medicine working in hospitals of Arak in 2009. A self-made questionnaire, containing 14 questions which surveyed the status of aggressions, was used. Results: On the whole, 205 individuals returned the forms. Most of them (71.7%) had faced a form of oral, physical, or sexual aggression and had been violated by a male companion of patients. They also viewed the use of drugs or alcohol by patients or their companions, lack of security facilities, patients’ death, and lack of educational possibilities for the prevention, as influential factors in the occurrence of aggression. The majority of participants saw increasing the security personnel, presence of psychological counselors and psychologists of the ward, increasing the rest hours, decreasing the work hours of the physicians, and having a codified program for the prevention of aggression, as anti-aggression factors. Conclusion: Oral and then physical aggression toward physicians are quite prevalent. Hence, taking immediate actions and providing useful instructions for prevention are of priority in designing effective programs.
Mohammad Rafiei, Saied Mosavipour, Maryam Aghanajafi,
Volume 15, Issue 3 (8-2012)
Abstract
Background: To date, researchers have paid extensive attention to happiness and its relationship with a wide variety of personality, socio-demographic, and health-related factors. However, there is still little research on the issue of happiness. This study was done to investigate happiness and mental health and the relationship between them in the students studying at Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran, in 2010. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 315 students at Arak University of Medical Sciences who were randomly selected during 2010. The students' happiness was measured by Oxford questionnaire and their mental health was measured using GHQ28. Data were analyzed by t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient, Logistic regression, and Chi-square test using SPSS software. Results: The mean of happiness in the students was 40.72±14.14 with only 9.2% of them in the normal range of happiness. Their mental health score was 25.73±7.47 with 32.1% of them within the normal range. Pearson correlation coefficient showed a statistically significant relationship between happiness score and mental health score (r=-0.14, p=0.012). Conclusion: Happiness and mental health status in the students at Arak University of Medical Sciences necessitate the need for more serious attention to this issue in educational planning.
Ahmad Reza Ghandi, Hossein Ali Hadi, Ahmad Reza Behruzi, Ahmad Reza Holakooie,
Volume 15, Issue 4 (9-2012)
Abstract
Background: Genu varum is a deformity marked by outward bowing of the leg which is accompanied with pain only in severe cases. Failure in timely diagnosis results in the loss of quality of life in future and high health care costs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate genu varum prevalence in male students aged 7-16 years and identify the cases in need of treatment. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, femoral intercondylar distance (ICD) of 3692 male students aged 7-16 years who were chosen randomly in Arak city was measured. ICD>0.5 cm was considered as genu varum and to determine whether cases need treatment, the MT-MF angle and WBL% were used. Results: The results indicated that the prevalence of genu varum was 2.53% in primary school, 6.98% in junior high school, and 16.33% in senior high school students. The findings showed a significant relationship between the prevalence of genu varum and age, BMI, and the history of lower limb trauma with or without fracture. Overall, 33% of the students required treatment. Conclusion: Considering the importance of having healthy knees, clinical examination and regular screening programs for identifying cases with mild genu varum is recommended. The importance of implementation of regular screening programs is confirmed by the increasing prevalence of diseases associated with age and the high percentage of patients requiring treatment.
Alireza Bahrami,
Volume 15, Issue 5 (10-2012)
Abstract
Background: Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a behavioral disorder in children which is characterized by one or a combination of three factors including hyperactivity, inattentiveness and impulsiveness. The purpose of present study was to investigate the effectiveness of ball and non-ball games on improvement of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in the 9-11 year old male students in Arak. Materials and Methods: In this pre/post-test designed clinical trial 60 male students with ADHD disorder, were randomly divided into three equal groups including ball games, non-ball games and control group. Practice groups had 12 weeks games therapy (3 sessions per week and 30-45 min per session). The symptoms of ADHD and Hyperactivity were evaluated through Child Symptom Inventory-4 (CSI-4) questionnaire before and after the 12-week practice programs. Results: The results of the present study revealed that after 12 weeks play therapy, both experimental groups had a significant decrease in ADHD symptoms in comparison with pre-test situation (p<0.05), but no significant difference was seen between ball games and non-ball games groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: Based on the obtained findings of the study it can be concluded that ball/ non-ball games, have a positive effect in improving and reduction of symptoms of ADHD.
Ahmad Reza Behruzi, Hossein Ali Hadi, Ahmad Reza Ghandi, Akram Esmaili,
Volume 16, Issue 1 (4-2013)
Abstract
Background: Noticing the particular importance of timely detection of scoliosis due to its progression over the time and associated complications such as non-symmetric appearance, movement restrictions, and sometimes disturbance in cardiac or respiratory function, this screening study was designed to investigate the prevalence of scoliosis in pupils aged 9-16 in Arak.
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 984 students aged 9-16 years in Arak, Iran, who were randomly selected by clustering method, were screened for scoliosis by Adams test and suspected pupils were examined by orthopedics and PA X-ray was applied for them. For diagnosis confirmation, the Cobb angle was calculated and angle>6 was considered as scoliosis.
Results: Based on the results, the prevalence of scoliosis was 1.52% and 1.21% in female students and 3.21% in male students. The Cobb angle of about 67% of the cases was less than 10 which indicated minor scoliosis.
Conclusion: The results of the present study necessitate school-based scoliosis screening so that early detection of the disease allows for implementation of a suitable treatment program which can prevent the development of the disease and the financial burden of surgery and its complications.
Sonia Badbareh, Ali Zeinali,
Volume 19, Issue 5 (8-2016)
Abstract
Background: One of the most important effective environmental factors in shaping personality disorders is childhood abuse experiences. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between childhood abuse experiences with dark triad traits of personality among university students.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive- analytical study was a correlational study. The statistical population included all university students in Islamic Azad university of Urmia branch in year 2015. Totally, 400 students were selected through randomly cluster sampling method. All of them completed the questionnaires of childhood abuse experiences and dark triad traits of personality. Data were analyzed by using the SPSS-19 software and by Pearson’s correlation and multivariate regression method.
Results: Physical abuse had a negative significant relationship with narcissism (r=-0.099) and had a positive significant relationship with psychopathy (r=0.248) and Machiavellism (r=0.189). Emotional abuse had a positive significant relationship with narcissism (r=0.089), psychopathy (r=0.164) and Machiavellism (r=0.245). Sexual abuse had a negative significant relationship with narcissism (r=-0.108). Neglect abuse had a positive significant relationship with narcissism (r=0.157) and had a negative significant relationship with psychopathy (r=-0.208) and Machiavellism (r=-0.171). Also, childhood abuse experiences significantly predicted 7.6 percent of variance of narcissism, 7 percent of variance of psychopathy and 6.7 percent of variance of Machiavellism (p≤0.05).
Conclusion: According to findings of this research, counselors and therapists must consider the symptoms of these variables and design appropriate programs based on them to prevent shaping dark triad traits of personality.
Zahra Zarimoghadam, Hosein Davoodi, Khalil Ghafari, Hamidreza Jamilian,
Volume 24, Issue 1 (3-2021)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The development of any society depends on the educational system of that society. The educational system can be efficient and successful when considering the academic performance of learners in different courses. This study aimed to investigate the effects of mental self-care education on students’ mental health and academic motivation.
Methods & Materials: This was a quasi-experimental study with unequal control and experimental groups. The statistical population of this study was students referring to school counseling centers; 40 of them (n=20/group) were selected by random sampling method. The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale - 21 Items (DASS-21), and Academic Performance Rating Scale were used to collect the necessary data. Psychological self-care training was presented to the experimental group in ten 2-hour sessions. Then, a posttest was conducted on the study groups. Data analysis was performed using Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA).
Ethical Considerations: This article was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Islamic Azad University, Khomeini Branch (Code: IR.IAU.ARAK.REC.1399.001).
Results: The obtained findings indicated that mental self-care education was effective on students’ mental health (P<0.05). Furthermore, psychological self-care education was ineffective on students’ academic motivation.
Conclusion: Mental self-care education was used to improve mental health; however, this training did not affect academic motivation in the examined subjects.
Farzin Bagheri Sheykhangafshe, Abbas Abolghasemi, Seyyed Mousa Kafi Masouleh,
Volume 24, Issue 2 (5-2021)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The concept of resilience has been recently extensively considered concerning sports studies; accordingly, in most qualitative studies, it has been used to explore the attitudes of coaches, athletes, and sports psychologists. In this regard, the present study aimed to determine resilience in athletic students based on dark triad personality and psychological wellbeing.
Methods & Materials: This was a descriptive and correlational study. The population of the study consisted of all male students of Guilan University of Physical Education in the first semester of the academic year 2019-2020. A sample of 200 individuals was selected by convenience sampling method; then, the required data were collected using Sheard et al.’s (2009) Resilience Scale for Adults, Jonsson and Webster’s Dark Triad Personality Questionnaire, and Ryff’s 18-item Psychological Wellbeing Scale (1989). The obtained data were analyzed by SPSS using Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis.
Ethical Considerations: This study was approved by Research Ethics Committee of Guilan University of Medical Sciences (Code: IR.GUMS.REC.1398.121).
Results: The present research results suggested a positive and significant correlation between the resilience of the examined athletic students and narcissism (r=0.495, P<0.001), self-acceptance (r=0.598, P<0.001), purposefulness in life (r=0.556, P<0.001), personal growth (r=0.648, P<0.001), the mastery of the environment (r=0.645, P<0.001), positive correlation with others (r=0.569, P<0.001), and independence (r=0.381, P<0.001). Moreover, there was a significant negative correlation between antisocial behavior (r=-0.557, P<0.001) and Machiavelli’s aspect (r=-0.604, P<0.001), and the explored students’ resilience. Additionally, multiple regression analysis data revealed that dark triad personality and psychological wellbeing predict 62% of resilience in the study subjects.
Conclusion: The current investigation results signified a significant correlation between dark triad personality and psychological wellbeing, and resilience in athletic students. Accordingly, educators and teachers need to pay more attention to the role of psychological wellbeing and different dimensions of athletes’ personalities for promoting the health and performance of students.
Mohammad Bakhtavar, Seyed Mehrzad Shaddel, Ehsan Mmomeni, Vahideh Nazari,
Volume 24, Issue 3 (8-2021)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Needlestick injury (NSJ) is a common occupational health problem among dental healthcare workers, putting them at significant risk for blood-borne infections. This study aimed to investigate occupational exposure to NSJ and the psychological factors associated with it among dentistry students.
Methods & Materials: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on students in the Arak school of dentistry training curriculum in the last three years in 2018. The questionnaires included questions about students’ awareness of NSJ conditions, the frequency of vaccinations, and antibody titration tests. The SCL-90 (Symptom checklist-90) questionnaire assessed psychological factors after NSJ in four dimensions of anxiety, phobia, self-morbidity, and depression. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistical methods and a chi-square test.
Ethical Considerations: The study was approved by the Arak University of Medical Sciences (Code: IR.ARAKMU.REC.1397.269).
Results: Of the eighty students surveyed, 59 students had experienced NSJ at least once. However, only 25.4% of students had reported the NSJ occurrence. The highest incidence rate of NSJ was reported in the endodontics section. In addition, 80% of students had received hepatitis B vaccinations. Based on the SCL-90 test, the anxiety dimension was more affected by NSJ than the other dimensions.
Conclusion: Despite the high prevalence of NSJ in dental students, the rate of reporting after the accident is very low. Also, due to the lack of attention to vaccination in some students, there is a need for more infection control training. Based on the SCL-90 test, the occurrence of NS is effective in causing psychological problems.
Shahnaz Shahrjerdi,
Volume 24, Issue 4 (9-2021)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of musculoskeletal pain in undergraduate students of Engineering and Humanities Faculties of Arak University in 1397-98.
Methods & Materials: This cross-sectional study of 464 students (humanities, 169 and engineering, 295 people) with mean age (20.56+1.51 years), Body Mass Index (22.29±3.35 kg/m2)). Was done at the undergraduate level of Arak University in the 2018-2019 years. Nordic questionnaire to assess musculoskeletal pain during the last 7 days, 12 months as well as functional disorders during the last 12 months in the neck, shoulders, wrists and hands, back, lower back, pelvis, thighs, legs and ankles were examined.
Ethical Considerations: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Research Projects of Hamadan University (Code: IR.BASU.REC.1398.013).
Results: The highest prevalence of musculoskeletal pain was in the spine (63.4%) which is in the back (27.6%), neck (23.5%) and then shoulders (21.8%), respectively. In software and chemical engineering, neck, shoulder, wrist, and hand pain were most common due to computer work and study time per day. Back and lower back pain were very common in psychology and Quranic sciences due to inactivity and increasing Waist-Hip ratio.
Conclusion: Musculoskeletal pain is one of the most serious problems in some fields of study in colleges, which can be found to reduce the complications by finding the causative factors and educating students.
Farnaz Ghorbani, Mostafa Ghandi, Navid Yousefi, Maryam Shokri Mojdeh,
Volume 25, Issue 6 (3-2023)
Abstract
Introduction: Dentists are at high risk for COVID19 disease and spreading it to colleagues, families and patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate COVID 19 epidemic anxiety among students and dental assistants of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences.
Methods: In this descriptive-Analytic cross-sectional study, 142 dental students who were willing to participate the study were surveyed. Data collection tools was included a demographic and Corona Disease Anxiety Scale (CDAS) questionnaire. After collecting information, each participant's anxiety score was measured from zero to 54. These raw scores were converted to standard T scores for comparability with other studies, and according to the scope of standard T studies, participants in one of three groups of no anxiety or mild (T≤ 39), moderate (60 ≤ T ≤ 40), And severe anxiety (T≥61), and then the data were analyzed with SPSS23 statistical software. Ethical code of this study is IR.QUMS.REC.1399.224 in Qazvin University of Medical Sciences.
Results: According to the results, the level of anxiety was higher in older age groups, among men against women, and among married against single people, respectively. Also, the level of anxiety caused by Coronaviruses pandemic was higher in undergraduate against postgraduate students. However, difference was not statistically significant (P <0.05).
Conclusions: Based on the study, it can be stated that the level of coronaviruses anxiety in dental students is mild. In these situation, measures to maintain the psychological health of students should be a necessity of the planning of the directors and professors of the dental school.
Dr Azadeh Khazaei Zadeh, Dr Afrooz Nakhostin, Dr Mahsa Kianifar,
Volume 26, Issue 5 (12-2023)
Abstract
Introduction: The academic failure of students is one of the major problems of higher education centers in the country, which not only wastes time and running costs of these centers, but also causes mental-psychological, family and social problems for students. The purpose of this study was to investigate and explain the various causes of academic failure in dental students of Arak city.
Methods: The present study was of a descriptive-analytical type, which was conducted with the participation of 120 dental students of Arak Medical Sciences. Sampling was by census method and all students were included in the study. The data collection tool of this study was a questionnaire containing demographic characteristics, questions related to various factors of academic failure in students. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods (frequency, mean, standard deviation, Pearson correlation coefficient and linear regression) in SPSS software version 22.
Results: The sample consisted of 30 individuals (10 males and 20 females) with generalized anxiety disorder, selected purposefully and randomly assigned to a treatment group based on virtual reality and mindfulness (15 individuals) and a control group (15 individuals). Pre-test, post-test, and follow-up cortisol levels were measured, and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) was used as the entry criterion. Subsequently, the experimental group received an eight-session, 17-minute weekly treatment based on virtual reality and mindfulness. Participants in this group, while immersed in a virtual environment, watched 360-degree virtual reality videos, "Walking by the Beach" and "Pebbles in the Lake," accompanied by mindfulness audio contemplation, "Being Present and Breathing," and "Wise Mind," using a VR headset and VR-ARBOX. The control group received no treatment.
Conclusions: According to the findings of this research, it was found that factors such as student's individual characteristics, inappropriate educational environment, inappropriate family environment and dealing with non-curricular issues had a significant effect on the event of students' academic decline, so paying attention to these factors in the design and implementation University educational programs can play an effective role in avoiding academic failure.
